Rail-clamp.



W. I. F. HARDBN.

RAIL CLAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 19, 190B.

Patented Sepf. 21, 1909 No. 833,048, dated one end of each plate so that it may be UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM I. F. HARDEN. OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

RAIL-CLAMP.

Application filed November 19, 1908.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21., 1909.

Serial No. 463.44"

.as will enable 'othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to railway ties and fasteners and particularly to devices for fastening the rails to the ties.

it has for its object to protect. the ordinary wooden tie and sup iort the rails thereon. The device may also be used on all metal or part metal and art c0n1p0sition ties, and is especially a plicable to any of the ties illustrated, descri d and claimed in'my Patents No. 802,450, dated October A. 1905, No. 807,377, dated December 12, 1905, No. 816,463, ted March 27, 1906, etober 9, 1906 and No. 891,164, dated June 16, 1908.

A further -object of the invention is to providefor the-adjustment of the rail-fastening devices-whereby they are adapted to secure rails of ditferelit sizes and at different an 16$.)la for instance. at a switch where the rai s are arranged obliquely to those. of the main track.

The invention consists in the use of two similarly constructed platesarranged in reversed positions on opposite sides of the top of thc tie'and each having a rail-clamping jaw extending in the opposite direction from that on the other, one or both of said plates being adapted to be movedlongitudinally to acconnnmlute said jaws to the width ofqthe footof the rail or the angle of the ra l The invention also consists in providing the plates with turned down flanges at their outer edges for protecting the upper corners of wooden ties.

'lhe-invention consists further in extending said'lateral flanges sufiieiently to receive fastening bolts passed through from side to side of metal or other ties.

The invention consists further in arranging said securing bolts obliquely with rela tion to the tie whereby the two plates are clamped against. the rail from opposite sides. The invention consists further in beveling wedged between the tie and rail h simpl driving it in without the necessity of raising the rails or lowering the ties.

The invention also consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and specified in the claims.

In the aeconnanying drawing, il]u trat-' ing the preferred embodiments of my invention: Figure 1 is an end View of an ordinary hewn wood tie with my improved clamping plates applied thereto (or fastening the raids. Fig. :2 is a plan view thereof.

.the positions of the clam lug-plates when engaging a rail arranged o liquely, and two )OSIUOHH of the rail bem shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is the end view of a wooden tie which is rectangular in cross section, showing a modified construction of clamping plates applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same. Figs. 5 and (3 are similar views ofan inverted U-shaped metallic tie showing another modified form of clamping plates secured to it. Fig. 7 is a plan View of a )iece of sheet metal showing in dotted lines 10w it is cut and bent to form the last modification. and Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective. view of one of said plates after it is cut and bent into shape. and Fig. 9 is a plan-view of the structure shown in Figs. 4' and t3.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing,1 designates the tie which is hewn from wood in the ordinary manner and pro vided with flattened top and bottom surfaces. The rail 2 is supported andrernred to the tie by my improved clamping plute t. Each of said plates generally rectangular in shape. but has a jaw 4 formed at ur end by cutting a longitudinal lit innaid t'i nu one. end and bending the inner portion into proper )osition for engaging the foot. of the rail. he two plates which are used in gather a re placed side by side and in tt'vt'tflwl positions. that the jun r-ur ing on; -i' one plate extends in the op onti- (lir ltiui; from the jaw-carr \'ing end 01 linoiim. One or both of the plates may ie ;1(l ltl?-'it' l longitudinally to acconnnodate the width of ui'fum of,tlie rail and for this purpose is provided with a series of Pt!l'l l:lliu||.- or holes 53 therein at the opposite end from the jaw. A perforation (i is also formed in the portion (3 of the jzn'v-ca1'r \in; end of the plate. which is left tint. and extends beyond said jaw. Said plate is secured to the tie by I have there illustrated the clamping-plates t means of spikes driven through the perform tion 6 and one of the perforations which are exp sed after the rail is in place.

As illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, my clamping-plates are particularly useful for fastenin rails at a switch where they are arrange obli uely to the rails of the main track. The p ates may be easily moved longitudinallyto increase or lessen the distance between their jaws to accommodate any angle of the rail, and'whcn adjusted to the proper position can be quickly secured by driving the spikes as previously described. This application of my invention 18 of special practical value because of its simplicity and because none of the clamping-plates now in use are adapted for this purpose. The end of each plate opposite its jaw is beveled oil, as at 7, whereby it may be driven between the rail and tie of an old truck. When thus driven in the late wedges itself between said rail and tie thereb doing away with the necessity of 'raising't e rail or removing the ballast and lowering the tie. The pra'cf tical value of this feature 'will also be readily,

appreciated by those skilled in railroad con struction.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing,

ap lied to a wooden tie 1 which is rectang u er in cross section. Said plates are formed s milarly to those shown in Figs'l and 2 ex- .cept that they are extended laterally and bent down to form flanges 8' which cover and protect the upper corners of the tie from wearing away below the rail where the greatest ressure is exerted.

he application of m invention to a metal tie is illustrated in I igs. 5 and (i. The

tie 1 is made in the shape of an inverted U in cross section like t-hat illustrated in my last patent No. 891,164, dated June H3, 1908. The flanges 9 on the clamping-plates are ex tended far enough down the sides of the tie to ermit fastenin bolts 10 to he passed horizontally throng perforations 11 in said flanges an through other perforations in the sides of the tie just below the top of the latter. A plurality of these perforations are provided for the purpose of adjustment. b'aid perforations are preferably made in the form of elongated slots, as shown to permit nicer adjustments and provide for the shrinkage and expansion of the rails. The bolts are passed through the tie obliquely thereto as illustrated in Fig. 9 and thereby serve to clamp the plates securely against opposite sides of the rail. Angle washers 12 are used at each end of the bolts. Said bolts will probably be sulficient to secure the plates in place, but if desired, vertical bolts or rivets may be asscd through other perforations in the iorizontal portion of the lates as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.

hese perforations may also be elongated slots and one may be placed in lateral alinemom, with the jaw, as indicated at 6 in Fig. S, for the passage of a rail-engaging spike in the event that said jaw should be broken oil.

It will be understood that. while I have shown and described the clamping plates as made of sheet metal, they may be cast or forged or formed in any other suitable manner.

In Fig. 7 the dotted line (1 indicates the slit which is cut for forming the jaw, while the dotted line (.1 indicates where the plate is bent to form the flange.

l claim:

1. A rail clamp ron'iprising two plates,

' each having a portion adapted to extend be low a rail and a jaw at one end for gripping the foot of a rail, said plates being arranged side by side in reverse order when in use and one being adj ustablc longitudinally with relation .to the other for the purposes specified, the end of each plate opposite its jaw being provided with a. plurality of perforations atsvarious distances from said 'aw whereby at least one of them is exposed to receive a securing spike at each adjustment, each plate also having a portion extending beyond its jaw and provided with a perforation to receive a securing spike.

2. A rail clamp com' rising two plates, each having a portion ad apted to extendbelow a rail and a. jaw at one end for grippin the foot of a rail, said plates being arrange side by side i i-reverse order when in use the free end of each, late being beveled oil for the purpose speci led, and means for fas toning said plates in proper position.

3. A rail clamp coin )rising two plates each having a portion adapted to extend be low a rail and a jaw at one end for grippi the foot of a rail, said plates being arrangg side by side in reverse order when in use a each having a downwardly extending flange at its outer edge to cover and protect the upper corners of a tie.

4. A rail clamp com rising two plabeS each having a portion a apted to extend b0. low a rail and a jaw at one end for grippi the foot of a rail, said plates being arrange, side by side in reverse order when in use a each having a downwardly extending flan at its outer edge to cover and protect t upper corner of a tie, each plate also havi 'd a flat portion extending beyond its jaw, an! means to fasten said flat portion in proper position. f

5. A rail clamp com rising two platd each having a portion a apted to extend b0. low a rail and a. jaw at one end for grippifi the foot of a rail, said plates being arra side by side in reverse order when in use each having a downwardly extending flaw i C at its outer edge adapted to extend parti a5 down the side of a tie, said flange having Q series of perforations therein to provide for longitudinal adjustment of said plates, and bolts adapted to be passed through perform tions in the flanges of said plates and through a tie.

6. A rail clamp comprising two plaleagt uilt'll having a portion adapted to extend below a rail, and a jaw at one end t'or gripping' the foot of a rail, #aid plates being arranged side by side in reverse order when in use and eat-h having a downwardly elvtending llangtat its outer edge adapted to extend partially down the side of a tie. said llangr having a series of perforations therein to provide for longitudinal adjustment of said plates. and bolts adapted to be passed through perform [ions in the flanged of mid platw and through a tie, each of .said plates al to harm; a Hat portion extendin beyond its jaw and means to fasten said Tat portion in proper position.

7. Thecombination, with a metal tie whirh is shaped generally like an inverted U in cross section, of a rail clamp roniprising two dates, each having a portion adapted to extend below a rail and a jaw at one end for gripping the foot. of a rail, said plates being arranged side by side in reverse order when in use and each having a downwardly extending flange at its outer edge adapted to extend partially down the side of the tie, said flanges and the sides of. the tie having a series of perforations therein to provide for longitudinal adjustmentof said plates for the purposes specified, and bolts adapted to be paszed through perforations and to be arranged just below the top part of the tie when in place.

8. A rail clamp comprising two plates. earh having a. portion adapted to extend below a rail and a jaw at one end for gripping the foot of a rail, said plates being arranged side by .aide in tt:\'t.'1 e order when in use and eat-h having :1 downwardly extending flange at its outer edge adapted to extend partially down the side of a tie. and bolts passed oblitpiel through said flanges and through a titv it. rail t'ltllllIJ t'oinprising two plates, earli having a portion adapted to extend below a rail and a jaw at one end for grippin the root of a r.-iil said plates being arrange aide h aidin reverse rder when inuse and (Ht'll ha ring a downwardly extending flange at its otlltl edge adapted to extend partially down the -hhot a tie. Said flanges having elongated l o. tin-rein, and bolts HSSg'tl obliquely thr ugh ('(l'l'illll (1110!? Of mid Slot and hrough :1 tie.

to. I'nil rlainp roinprising two plates, t-m-h having a. portion adapted to extend below a rail and a jaw at one end for grippin llnfoot of ii -ail, said plates being arranget side by side in re\ (1"1! order when in use and rat-h havinga downwardly extending flange at it outer edge adapted to extend partially down the side of a tie, bolts passed obliquely through said flanges and a tie, and angle washers arranged at the ends of said bolts.

11; A rail t'lllltll) tUnlpIlSlHg two plates, each having a portion adapted to extend below a rail and a jaw atone end for grippin the foot of a rail, said plates being arranged. side by side in reverse order when in use and means for fastening said plates in proper position. said plates having perforations arranged in lateral alinement; with their jaws for the purpose specified.

in testimony whereof, I afilx my signature, in presenee of two witnesses.

\VIlililAM I. F. HARDEN. it lltHH'HI M. lamuxs, linxicar l. llU'ICHINSON. 

